Transparent cover with access to multi-way navigation assembly

ABSTRACT

A cover for an electronic device made of a transparent material and having a form factor that protects function buttons of the device from inadvertent actuation. The cover has an opening of a size, shape and location to afford access to an interface device for multi-way navigation with the cover in place. Protrusions in tabs at the sides of the cover snap into cutouts located midway along the side of the electronic device and may be used to hold the cover in place. The cover may be stored on the back of the device while the device is in use. The transparent nature of the cover affords viewing of a display screen with the cover in place.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/375,999 filed on Feb.27, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,914,774 which is hereby incorporated byreference to this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of portable electronicdevices, such as personal digital assistants or handheld computersystems. Specifically, the present invention relates to a protectivetransparent cover allowing access to an interface mechanism fornavigating among applications with the protective cover in place.

2. Related Art

A portable computer system, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA)or handheld computer, is an electronic device that is small enough to beheld in the hand of a user. By virtue of their size, portable computersystems are lightweight and so are exceptionally portable andconvenient. Portable computer systems are rapidly becoming smaller and,at the same time, increasing functionality and user friendliness.

These systems, and others like them, have in common some type of screenfor displaying images as part of a user interface. Many different kindsof screens can be used, such as liquid crystal displays, field emissiondisplays or other types of flat screen displays. Many have keyboardsthat can be displayed on a touch screen and selected with a stylus. Manyhave the capability of reading handwritten memos. Recently, completekeyboards have been incorporated in the form of small depressiblebuttons on the housing of the devices.

These systems also have in common some type of user interface allowing auser to input commands and information and to navigate either within anapplication or from one application to another. Handheld computers andmany other handheld devices typically have multiple built-in, dedicatedor programmable buttons or keys that can be used to implement variousfunctions and to navigate among and within different applications. Somealso have a one-touch navigation assembly that allows scrolling in fourdirections and making a selection from a single central location on thehousing.

In order to protect these pocket-sized devices from being inadvertentlyactivated while in a pocket, briefcase, purse or other transportfacility, many of these devices have protective covers that cover thebuttons. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two embodiments of covers found inthe prior art. FIG. 1A illustrates a rigid flip cover that snaps onto aPDA device at the back of the device and is lifted to provide access tothe buttons and display screen. A flip cover needs a solid connection tothe device, which then becomes difficult to remove when so desired. Whenthe cover is in place, the device cannot be used. Once lifted, the covercan prove to be unwieldy when attempting to hold the PDA while using it.

FIG. 1B illustrates another example of covers found on handheld computerdevices in the prior art. In this example, the cover is in the form of arigid notebook style cover that has a flexible frame on one side intowhich the device may be slipped. The frame fits around the perimeter ofthe device and below the navigation buttons and has a strip that fitsabove the navigation buttons but below the screen to further secure thedevice in the cover. This cover, as with the cover of FIG. 1A, provesuncomfortable for holding while navigating or executing applications.The device is best used, while in the cover, when placed on a flatsurface. In neither of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B does thecover lend itself to comfortably navigating with one hand, and in bothembodiments the cover must be lifted or removed in order to access thenavigation buttons. There are a number of types of covers available inthe prior art, but they either do not allow for easy release, or they donot allow for use of the handheld device while in place.

Referring to Prior Art FIG. 2A, an exemplary handheld electroniccomputing device 200 a is illustrated, according to one embodiment ofthe prior art. Device 200 a is configured for single-handed navigationutilizing a ring and button assembly. In the present embodiment,navigation ring 210 and button 215 are located at the lower portion ofthe face of device 200 a and the ring 210 may be pressed at positionscorresponding to twelve o′clock, three o′clock, six o′clock and nineo′clock to cause a highlighting feature to move up, right, down andleft, respectively, among icons on display screen 220. The highlightedicon may be selected by pressing button 215.

The ring and button assembly has the advantage of performing multiplefunctions using one hand within a concentrated area. The presentassembly is relatively large and occupies a considerable amount of spaceon housing 225 of FIG. 2A. Some newer handheld devices are incorporatingadditional function buttons and even complete keyboards. With theever-increasing need for smaller form factors and additional functionkeys, it would be desirable to have a navigation ring and buttonassembly that is smaller in size than the current design.

Prior Art FIG. 2B illustrates actuator devices 200 b used in oneembodiment of the prior art. Actuators 230, 240, 250, 260 and 270 aresmall, depressible steel domes placed in a matrix with circuitry belowfor communicating with the handheld device. The ring 210 of FIG. 2Awould fit over outer four domes 230, 240, 250 and 260 and button 215 ofFIG. 2A would fit above center dome 270. In order to achieve up, down,right and left movement and a select function, 5 domes are used. Thedome can be cycled (e.g., pressed and released) only a limited number oftimes during its lifetime. The larger the dome, the greater the numberof cycles in a lifetime. Thus, to maintain reliability, it would not bedesirable to reduce the size of the domes to fit a smaller space. Thespacing between the domes allows the sides of the ring and button tohave sufficient clearance for movement.

In summary, prior art mechanisms for protecting hand-held devices areproblematic. A solution to the problems described above would beadvantageous. The present invention, in various embodiments, providessuch a solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for a navigational interfacewith a portable electronic device. The present invention would allow foran increase in the number of function keys and/or a reduction in devicesize to more fully utilize the advantages afforded by the portability ofhandheld devices. An improved interface may facilitate the user'sexperience and thus provide an advantage over other devices that employconventional user interfaces.

In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a cover foran electronic device comprising a transparent material and having a formfactor that protects function buttons of the device from inadvertentactuation. The cover has an opening of a size, shape and location toafford access to an interface device for a multi-way navigation assemblylocated on the top face of the device, the opening allowing fornavigating with the cover in place.

According to one embodiment, the cover has protrusions that snap intocutouts located midway along the side of the electronic device. Thecover may be stored on the back of the device while the device is inuse. According to one embodiment, the opening in the cover is circular.

In one embodiment, the multi-way navigation assembly comprises actuatorscoupled to circuitry within the electronic device. According to oneembodiment, the actuators are steel domes. The actuators may beactuated, according to one embodiment, by the interface device, whereinthe interface device comprises a ring surrounding a central button.

In one embodiment, the ring interfaces with actuators on a first planeand the button interfaces with actuators on a second plane, through anopening in the first plane. According to one embodiment, the first planeis offset from the second plane so that a space between the actuators inthe first plane aligns on an orthogonal axis with the actuator of thesecond plane. In one embodiment, the button comprises an extension fordepressing the actuator on the second plane through the opening in thefirst plane.

According to one embodiment, the power switch on the device isaccessible with the cover in place. In one embodiment, the electronicdevice is a portable digital assistant. In another embodiment, theelectronic device is a global positioning system. In yet anotherembodiment, the electronic device is a portable game.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having readthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiments whichare illustrated in the various drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a cover for a handheld electronic device inaccordance with one embodiment of the prior art.

FIG. 1B illustrates a handheld electronic device having a cover inaccordance with one prior art embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates a prior art electronic device with a ring and selectbutton device for navigating among menu items.

FIG. 2B illustrates a prior art arrangement of domed actuators forconnecting a ring and button device to circuitry.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective front side view of a cover designed toallow navigation, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is an illustration of a top side view of a cover designed toallow navigation while in place, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3C is an inside view illustrating a protrusion on a tab of a coverdesigned to snap into a cutout in the side of a handheld device to holdthe cover in place, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a portable electronic device in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention

FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of a portable electronic device having acutout for accepting protrusions in a transparent removable cover.

FIG. 5A illustrates a portable electronic device having a cutout foraccepting protrusions in a transparent removable cover.

FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a portable electronic device having atransparent removable cover in place according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a portable electronic device having atransparent removable cover stored on the back in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a topside perspective view of a portable electronic device inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a cut-away side view of a portable electronic device inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7C is a top view of an arrangement of actuator domes in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the present invention, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will be recognizedby one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits havenot been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects ofthe present invention.

The present invention is described primarily in the context of aportable computer system, e.g., a handheld or personal digital assistant(PDA). However, it is understood that the present invention is notlimited to implementation in portable computer systems, but can also beimplemented in other portable electronic devices such as cell phones,global positioning system devices, electronic games, mobile phones andthe like. Indeed, aspects of the present invention can be implemented innumerous electronic devices in which it is necessary or desirable tonavigate among functions while a protective cover remains in place or toreduce the device size while maintaining or increasing functionality.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of a front side view 300 a of a cover 350designed to allow navigation, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. While in place, cover 350 protects a device from inadvertentactivation. Cover 350 is substantially transparent so as to allow adisplay screen to be read while cover 350 is in place. Cover 350 may ormay not be removable. In this embodiment, cover 350 has tabs 330 at thecenter portion of each side that are designed to fit over the side of ahandheld electronic device. Cover 350 is held in place by protrusions310 on the inside of tabs 330 that fit into cutouts in the sides of thedevice. Cover 350 is not limited to snapping in place. In oneembodiment, cover 350 may slide into place. In another embodiment, cover350 may pivot into place. Cover 350 may be constructed of any suitablerigid or semi-rigid material that is transparent so that the displayscreen is readable with the cover in place.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective top side view 300 b of a transparentremovable cover 350 designed to allow navigation while in place with amulti-way navigation assembly, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. Tabs 330 at each side of cover 350 fit over ahandheld device and snap into cutouts at the midpoints of the sides ofthe device to secure the cover to the device. Cover 350 may be securedto the device, either on the front for protection of the screen andfunction buttons, or on the back when the device is in use.

FIG. 3C is an inside view 300 c illustrating a protrusion 310 on tab 330of a transparent removable cover (e.g., cover 350 of FIG. 3B).Protrusion 310 is designed to snap into a cutout in the side of ahandheld device to hold cover 300 b in place, according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view 400 a of a portable electronic device 410in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, device 410 has a cutout 420 at the midline of each side thatmay accept protrusions (e.g., protrusion 310 of FIG. 3A) on side tabs ofa cover (e.g., cover 350 of FIGS. 3A and 3B). Electronic device 410 alsohas a ring and button interface device 430 for navigating among andselecting applications via icons on a display screen, for example.

Power switch 440 is located, according to one embodiment, on the back ofdevice 410 so that it is not prone to inadvertent activation. Opening340 on cover 350 of FIG. 3B may be sized to fit around interface 430 sothat applications may be selected with transparent cover 350 still inplace. Cover 350 does not extend over power switch 440 so that powerswitch 440 is accessible with cover 350 in place. Thus device 410 may bepowered on or awakened without removing cover 350 and applications maybe selected by means of navigation interface 430 that is availablethrough opening 340.

It is understood that, although electronic device 410 is illustratedherein in the context of a portable computer system, e.g., a handheld orpersonal digital assistant (PDA), the present invention is not limitedto implementation in portable computer systems, but can also beimplemented in other portable electronic devices such as cell phones,global positioning system devices, electronic games, mobile phones andthe like.

FIG. 4B illustrates a side view 400 b of one embodiment of a portableelectronic device 410 having a cutout for accepting protrusions in acover. It may be observed that the cutout is at the midline of the sideso that cover 350 may be removed and stored on the back of theelectronic device while the device is in use.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top perspective view 500 a of another embodimentof a portable electronic device 510 having a cutout 520 for acceptingprotrusions on a tab on a cover. Portable electronic device 510 is shownhaving a keyboard 750, function buttons 512, 514, 516 and 518 for suchfunctions as checking mail, dialing a wireless phone, checking phonemessages, or connecting to the Internet, and a multi-way navigationinterface device 710. In order to accommodate a keyboard and maintainthe form factor of a device such as device 410 of FIG. 4A, interfacedevice 710 may be reduced in size from that of interface device 430 ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5B illustrates a top view 500 b of a portable electronic device(e.g., device 510 of FIG. 5A) having a transparent removable cover 550in place, according to one embodiment. Cover 550 is shown with opening540 that is sized and located to fit around navigation interface device710, according to one embodiment, thus affording a user access tonavigate among applications with cover 550 in place. In anotherembodiment, cover 550 may have multiple openings to allow access toother function or navigation buttons such as, for example, buttons 512,514, 516 and 518 of FIG. 5A. It is understood that, in variousembodiments, a variety of openings of varying shapes, sizes andlocations may be located within cover 550 to accommodate a device forwhich cover 550 is designed.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view 600 of portable electronic device 410having transparent removable cover 350 stored on the back, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. Cover 350 may be removedand stored on the back, held by protrusions (e.g., protrusions 310 ofFIG. 3A) on the inside of tabs 330 into cutouts (e.g., cutouts 420 ofFIG. 4B) on the midline of device 410. It is understood, however, thatcover 350 is not limited to being removable and snapping on and off. Inother embodiments, cover 350 may slide up and down or left and right,or, according to one embodiment, cover 350 may pivot from a single pivotpoint or from two pivot points.

FIG. 7A is a topside perspective view 700 a of the top face of portableelectronic device 510 in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The top face contains a display screen 720. Display screen720 is a touch screen that is able to register contact between thescreen and the tip of a stylus. A keyboard 750 is below display screen720 on the top face of device 510 and above navigation interface device710. Navigation interface device 710 comprises a button 730 at thecenter and a surrounding ring 740.

FIG. 7B is a cut-away side view of a multi-way navigation assembly 700 band navigation interface device (e.g., interface device 710 of FIG. 7A)within portable electronic device 510 in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 7C is a top view of an arrangement ofactuator domes 715, 725, 735, 745 and 755 located on two planes withinmulti-way navigation assembly 700 b in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. By locating the actuator domes in twosubstantially parallel planes, one plane being offset from the other sothat a space between the actuator domes on one plane aligns on anorthogonal axis with an actuator in the other plane, a smaller formfactor may be achieved for an interface device (e.g. device 710 of FIG.7A).

FIGS. 7B and 7C are discussed in concert to clearly describe assembly700 b. In one embodiment, ring 740 resides above actuator domes 715,725, 735, and 745 and button 730 resides above actuator dome 755. Theactuator domes are coupled to circuitry within a handheld device such asdevice 510 of FIG. 7A. Actuator domes 715, 725, 735 and 745 reside inone plane while actuator dome 755 resides in a separate, substantiallyparallel plane. In one embodiment actuator dome 755 may reside on theplane furthest from the navigation button 730 as shown in FIG. 7B. Inanother embodiment, dome 755 may reside on the plane closest tonavigation button 730.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7B, ring 740 is designed todepress actuator 715, 725, 735 or 745 when pressed in a position above aspecific actuator. Pressing a position that resides above and betweentwo actuator domes may depress both domes in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. Actuator dome 755, according to oneembodiment, resides on a plane below actuator domes 715, 725, 735 and745. A hole 760 in the center of actuator domes 715, 725, 735 and 745provides access to actuator dome 755. According to one embodiment,button 730 has an extension 765 that fits through hole 760 so thatpressing button 730 depresses dome 755, causing it to make contact withcircuitry and respond accordingly. In one embodiment, button 730 is aselect button that would cause an application to be opened.

Still referring to FIGS. 7B and 7C, according to one embodiment,pressing 740 at the 12 o′clock position causes actuator 735 to bedepressed, making contact with the circuitry. This may cause a cursor orhighlighting feature on a display screen (e.g., screen 720 of FIG. 7A)to move upward. Likewise, when ring 740 is pressed at the three o′clockposition, actuator 745 is depressed and may cause a cursor orhighlighting feature to move to the right on display screen 720.Pressing ring 740 at the one thirty o′clock position depresses bothactuators 735 and 745. Pressing both actuator domes may, according toone embodiment, cause a cursor or highlighting feature to movediagonally up and to the right. Likewise, actuator 715 would bedepressed by pressing the six o′clock position on ring 740 and actuator725 would be depressed by pressing the nine o′clock position on ring740. In one embodiment, combinations of two actuators are depressed bypressing a position on ring 740 that lies between them. The directionmoved by the cursor or highlighting feature is a function of softwareand may vary depending on the program.

In another embodiment, additional buttons may be provided for navigatingdiagonally. These buttons may be separate buttons or they may beadditional actuators. Additional actuators may be located in yet anothersubstantially parallel plane that may be accessed by one of a series ofconcentric rings or by single buttons placed around ring 740. There may,according to one embodiment, be several stacked parallel planes ofactuators, accessed by various length extensions from a combination ofconcentric rings and buttons for navigation and for other appropriatefunctions.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, a transparent coverwith access to multi-way navigation assembly, is thus described. Whilethe present invention has been described in particular embodiments, itshould be appreciated that the present invention should not be construedas limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to thebelow claims.

1. A cover comprising: a substantially transparent material shaped toprovide access to a first button of a device when said cover overlapssaid device on at least two sides, wherein said substantiallytransparent material comprises: a first portion operable to protect asecond button of a device from inadvertent actuation, wherein said firstportion enables viewing of said second button while said cover overlapssaid device; an opening operable to afford access to an interfacecomponent of said device, wherein said opening is operable to enable auser to reach through and physically interact with said interfacecomponent while said cover overlaps said device, wherein said opening isfurther operable to enable use of said device while said cover overlapssaid device; and a second portion enclosing said opening on all sides.2. The cover of claim 1 further comprising: an element operable tomechanically couple said cover to said device.
 3. The cover of claim 1further comprising: protrusions operable to interface with and engage atleast one side of said device.
 4. The cover of claim 3, wherein saidprotrusions are tabs.
 5. The cover of claim 1, wherein said opening iscircular.
 6. The cover of claim 1, wherein said interface componentcomprises a multi-way navigation assembly.
 7. The cover of claim 6,wherein said multi-way navigation assembly comprises a plurality ofactuators disposed in at least two different planes.
 8. The cover ofclaim 7, wherein said plurality of actuators comprises steel domes. 9.The cover of claim 6, wherein said multi-way navigation assemblycomprises a first actuator disposed in a first plane, and wherein saidmulti-way navigation assembly further comprises a component extendingthrough said first plane and operable to actuate a second actuatordisposed in a second plane.
 10. The cover of claim 6, wherein saidmulti-way navigation assembly comprises a first portion and a secondportion, wherein said first portion is operable to actuate a firstactuator disposed in a first plane, and wherein said second portion isoperable to actuate a second actuator disposed in a second plane. 11.The cover of claim 10, wherein said first portion comprises a ring, andwherein said second portion comprises a central portion surrounded bysaid ring.
 12. The cover of claim 1, wherein said first button comprisesa power button of said device.
 13. The cover of claim 1, wherein saidinterface component comprises a function button of said device.
 14. Aportable electronic device comprising: a housing; a processor disposedwithin said housing; a memory disposed within said housing; a coveroperable to couple to said housing, wherein said cover comprises: asubstantially transparent material shaped to provide access to a firstbutton of said portable electronic device when said cover overlaps saidhousing on at least two sides, wherein said substantially transparentmaterial comprises: a first portion operable to protect a second buttonof a portable electronic device from inadvertent actuation, wherein saidfirst portion enables viewing of said second button while said coveroverlaps said housing; an opening operable to afford access to aninterface component of said portable electronic device, wherein saidopening is operable to enable a user to reach through and physicallyinteract with said interface component while said cover overlaps saidhousing, wherein said opening is further operable to enable use of saiddevice while said cover overlaps said housing; and a second portionenclosing said opening on all sides.
 15. The portable electronic deviceof claim 14 further comprising: an element operable to mechanicallycouple said cover to said device.
 16. The portable electronic device ofclaim 14 further comprising: protrusions operable to interface with andengage at least one side of said device.
 17. The portable electronicdevice of claim 16, wherein said protrusions are tabs.
 18. The portableelectronic device of claim 14, wherein said opening is circular.
 19. Theportable electronic device of claim 14, wherein said interface componentcomprises a multi-way navigation assembly.
 20. The portable electronicdevice of claim 19, wherein said multi-way navigation assembly comprisesa plurality of actuators disposed in at least two different planes. 21.The portable electronic device of claim 20, wherein said plurality ofactuators comprises steel domes.
 22. The portable electronic device ofclaim 19, wherein said multi-way navigation assembly comprises a firstactuator disposed in a first plane, and wherein said multi-waynavigation assembly further comprises a component extending through saidfirst plane and operable to actuate a second actuator disposed in asecond plane.
 23. The portable electronic device of claim 19, whereinsaid multi-way navigation assembly comprises a first portion and asecond portion, wherein said first portion is operable to actuate afirst actuator disposed in a first plane, and wherein said secondportion is operable to actuate a second actuator disposed in a secondplane.
 24. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein saidfirst portion comprises a ring, and wherein said second portioncomprises a central portion surrounded by said ring.
 25. The portableelectronic device of claim 14, wherein said first button comprises apower button of said device.
 26. The portable electronic device of claim14, wherein said interface component comprises a function button of saiddevice.